User Reviews

Strengths: THESE ARE GREAT PADS, I USE THE SALMON ONES, DONT ERODE YOUR EXPENSIVE WHEELS, WET OR DRY. OUTSTANDING VALUE.

Weaknesses: I GET SOME SQUEAK IN THE FRONT, BIG DEAL,SCARES HELL OUT OF OBSTRUCTIONIST DEER AND SQUIRRELS.

Bottom Line:

I CANT IMMAGINE A BETTER PAD, I SAVED YEARS FOR MY DAVE THOMAS CUSTOM WHEELS, WHY WOULD I WANT TO GRIND THE PI$$ OUT OFUM WITH SOME OF THE OTHER GARBAGE OUT THERE. I ONLY POST THIS REVIEW CAUSE I WOULDNT LIKE TO SEE MY FELLOW RIDERS TRASH THERE GEAR UNNECESSARILY.

Due to some strange wobbling from my front brake, I took the pads off the brake, and noticed that the pad and post of both front and rear brakes were wobbly. I looked around for a replacement and these were suggested. Seemed very solid and well designed. I inquired into the amount of wear these pads caused on rims, and was told that the wear was comparable to standard Shimano pads.

Took a little while to break in, but these pads provide tremendous stopping power, so much so that it took a little getting used to, and a few minor adjustments in pad / rim spacing. Now, I wouldn't trade them in, as they are very quiet, modulate very well and stop my ride in a shorter distance than the originals.

Overall I would say a good set of pads that have so far (for ~ 1 month) performed very well. I have always had good experiences with Kool Stop pads, so I expect the same from these. When I switched to these from the worn out Avid pads, I found these pads to be so thin I had to add extra shims to get the correct spacing between the brake "arms". The thin pads are also a blessing when it comes time to remove tires that are still aired up. Other than adding shims, I have no complaints.

Weaknesses: They did not stop the bike after quite a bit of set up time spent on them.

Bottom Line:

I am not sure what everyone did to get these pads to work correctly. I spent a lot of time messing with the set up and they just never stopped. I cleaned my rims with steel wool but no dice.

I gave them one ride thinking they would break in and finally start to work. Several times I thought that I was going to snap the brake levers off trying to stop. I rode the entire time using my front stock breaks. Oh yea, it was dry out as well. I would hate to have been going down hill with these things wet.

Strengths: Well I have not had these brake pads for a long time by any standard. But I can say, I have used these things for long a nuff time in dry condtions (only) to know you will stop and... stop when you want to.

Weaknesses: I have had a tough time getting the pads not to rub and the guys at the shop said. "These things are too long." I dont really mind the length, but it is a little annoying to know you could be going a little faster than you are going.

Bottom Line:

I love that I have found a brake pad that performs great and is not much $money$

I am not giving it 5 out of 5 because I feel I have not used the pads for a long enough time to give it the full 5 but dont worry they work really good for the time I have used them.

Strengths: stops the bike, has a nice feel, much improvment over shimano.

Weaknesses: what?

Bottom Line:

I just happened to stumble across them because my shimano pads sucked so bad that i figured anything would have to be better. after applying them to my single speed and doing a couple rides i came to the conclusion that these have to be the best pads ever. they have soft grippy feel, but also feel firm when you really apply the death grip. after the luck ive had with them on single speed i put them on to my freeride bike, replacing the high end xtr cartridge pads that would heat up and fade on long decents. bottom line is get these pads.

Bike Setup: fisher hookooekoo made into single speed, gt lts 2000 all decked out for freeriding.

Overall Rating:

Value Rating:

Submitted by
Al
a Weekend Warrior
from CA

Date Reviewed: September 2, 2001

Strengths: -Very good power-Plows away mud and water-Soft compound is nice on rims-Good in wet weather

Weaknesses: -None so far

Bottom Line:

These are great!!!The power is way up there. These perform so much better than the Shimano pads. Whenever I got into the wet, the Shimano's would sorta "dissolve" and wear out REALLY fast. Also, the Shimano's would lose almost all braking power in wet or muddy conditions. But not the Thinlines. They have good grip on rims in all conditions. Plus, they clean the brake surface, too. Worth the extra few bucks. Get some of these, I doubt you'll be disappointed.

Strengths: After being broken in, they have great stopping power, even when caked with mud. They are also very quiet compared to my old pads.

Weaknesses: None thus far, will have to see how they hold up over time

Bottom Line:

These work much better than my old brake pads. They have awsome stopping power, only second to disc brakes. I may have paid a couple dollars more at the bike shop, but hey...i figure support the local places before they all close.

Submitted by
Rob Fraser
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, ON, Canada

Date Reviewed: April 2, 2001

Strengths: These brakepads definitely are better than shimano, they don't collect grit, they will not scratch your rims and have a smoother softer feel.

Weaknesses: They don't have the stopping power that a harder brake pad would. Brake wear happens really fast and the little plough dissolves in one week.

Bottom Line:

I have been using last years thin blue line brakes. This years have a dual composition. Since 60% of one's stopping power is in the front brakes, I rely on a hard brake in the front. (I do alot of city riding) However, when offroading weather conditions apply using the front brake is a useless proposition. These brakes clean the rim in one wheel rotation.

Strengths: SilentNo wear so far...Secure (if not easy) setupDo not score rim breaking surfacesStop you in short distanceFair price ($10.00/ pr.), although could be a little cheaperCome with all hardware and installation diagrams on packageMade in USALook goodNot ShimanoSoft and grippy

Weaknesses: None.

Bottom Line:

"Ricksom" (a few reviews down) from the esteemed city of Toronto has read my mind on this issue. What seems like noise from these pads (on the front brake, at least) is a result of slop in the cheap bronze bearing in the '98 LX calipers, NOT the Koolstop pads. These things are just excellent. Before I had read Ricksom's review I had already decided to lose the LX calipers and go with the new SRAM top-of-the-line calipers when they become available. Should be winners. And SRAMs come stock with Koolstops, like he said. Go, Ricksom!!!!!!!

These pads are the best I've ever tried. The adjusters stay tight, they stop incredibly fast, and they look cool. They feel mushy and crappy at first, but after a few rides, they feel stiff and confident. They don't wear much, I have taken them through numerous rides where I was hub-deep in mud, and they still show no signs of wear, even though I couldn't even see them after the ride. I don't care about the noise that they make when wet, unlike others. And, yes, they still stop well in mud, just reach your other finger out to the lever, and give it a nice, firm squeeze. Who cares if it sounds like you're taking a butcher knife to a chalk board? I challenge you to find a brake pad that performs better in mud. 5 flamin' craps, which I would like to throw in the faces of all those too lazy to simply put a little effort into braking.